Food nation: 3 fests with zest

by CAMILLE CHIN  August 2010

EAT! Fraser Valley Food and Cooking Festival

The Vancouver edition of this fest has been so popular they started doing it in Abbotsford, BC to the delight of 1.5 million people. In addition to cooking demos by celebrity chefs, the best restos in the Valley will dish up samplings of their signature recipes. Beer, spirit and wine producers will also offer tastings. The marketplace includes speciality items not for sale in grocery stores. September 17 to 19. eat-fraservalley.com.

59th Niagara Wine Festival

With 100 events over two weekends, this fest has something for every taste. There are obviously tastings and tours, but also two parades — one in which kids are led by Mr. Grape and another with marching bands and performances. There are also concerts like the one on the 18th by a U2 tribute band. September 17 to 26. niagarawinefestival.com.

PEI International Shellfish Festival

In the area? Don’t miss the “Biggest Kitchen Party in Atlantic Canada.” After all, it includes chowder, freshly steamed PEI mussels and clams as well as oysters and quahogs — and some sort of championship related to all of them. There are also demos by the Culinary Institute of Canada daily. September 17 to 19. peishellfish.com.

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